The idea of feeling like we have to earn value or acceptance is something that we all struggle with, and is completely rampant in our society. 

We believe things like:

If I do more, I’ll be successful.

If I do more, I will be known.

If I do more, I will be promoted.

If I do more, I will be seen. 

If I do more, I will be valuable.

If I do more, I will be accepted.

If I do more, I will be loved.

If you really want it, try harder. Work harder. Performance equalling acceptance is ingrained into the very essence of how we think, of who we are. 

We don’t feel seen-we don’t feel valued-and to be seen-to be accepted-we try to do so much more to earn it. 

But God sees you-and He accepts us not because of what we do, but despite of what we do.

In today's lesson, we will be studying Genesis 16, and we will look at the box of human expectations, we will see the search for something different, and lastly we will see that we have true acceptance in God.